2 yr. old starting to become aggressive

[nighthazzardhounds]

I have a 2 yr. old running walker male who is starting to become aggressive. I have raised him from a pup. Up to this time he has been very gentle. I have 4 other hounds 3 being females and yes 2 are in heat right now.The other day my son went to pick up his food dish and the dog lunged at him with hair raised . Needless to say this shocked my kid. When I came home I fed and watered him and he seemed just fine. The next day a friend walked towards his food dish while in my presence and the dog lunged at him , I stepped in yelling no and he started towards me, but stopped short. I gave him a good kick to his side while yelling no. He immediately backed away knowing he did wrong and would not hold eye contact with me. That was 2 weeks ago and every thing had been fine. Yesterday he lunged at my other boy when he went for the food dish. Again I was not at home when this happened. Also when I fed and watered him at night he acted fine. I was hoping to use him for breeding but now I don,t trust him. I am not sure what to think. Would I be wise to have him fixed? Do dogs that have been fixed still make good hunting dogs. I had high hopes for the dog until this, my boys have become some what afraid of him. Any suggestions would be very appreciated.

[Catman]

I'd cut his nads out, and give him one more chance...then the rugar retirement plan if that didn't work.
No matter how good the dog is you wouldn't want to breed that trait so cutting him is no big deal.
And you surely wouldn't want him to get ahold of a child....no dog is worth that no matter how good it is.

[CODY FANKHAUSER]

Probably not what you want to hear but I would cull him.
You can't trust him with your kids or friend or with other dogs for that matter.
Again,sorry but the only cutting I would do is of your losses.

[twist]

Your kids are worth alot more than the dog any time they show this agression toward humans they cant be trusted it only takes once and its to late. You might be able to get along with him but he cant be trusted around your kids.Yes there may be a chance cutting him might help but if it was my dog I know what I would do! Dont wait until someone gets hurt it to late then. later, Andy

[TomJr]

Don't sound good but its likly something that can be fixed. Just cutting the dog will likly not help with the food agression issue. You are going to have to reassert your dominance and your kids have to as well. Have the kids feed and water the dogs under your supervison and help them learn how to show the dog who is boss.

If they are afraid of the dog have them wear gloves and thick coat/pants just in case and maybe a blunt stick to block the dog from biting. Mostly this is to give them confidance to stand up to the dog. Treat this as a learning oppertunity for your children, might help them in the future when dealing with aggresive dogs that are not your own...

[Jeff Eberle]

Probably not what you want to hear but I would cull him.
You can't trust him with your kids or friend or with other dogs for that matter.
Again,sorry but the only cutting I would do is of your losses.

X2!

[Bluefloyd]

What good is the best dog in the world when you cant take your sons hunting due to them being nervous around the dog.
A little growling you might be able to curb but lunging at kids, cull him now and better the breed. Save the guy down the road that may have some offspring from this dog from dealing with the same issues.
Just my opinion.

[Ike]

If a dog is aggressive toward people the best thing to do is cut your lose before you have a lawsuit on your hands or an injured kid. Years ago, I had a chief of police living down the street and he had brought home a German Shepard police dog they were either using as a drug dog or other. That dog attacked his young son and they probably had to put it down, but be careful if that aggression continues toward people that you don't in up in court......

Ike

[Jordan Run Walkers]

Cull him!

[bency]

Sent PM.

[DBM]

Have your boys feed him one kibble at a time by hand. Also have him earn each piece that they're feeding him by making him alternate between sitting, then laying down. After that always make him sit before you feed him. That should knock him down a notch or two in the hierarchy. I picked up an older dog (not a hound) that was food possessive and this cured it in a matter of days.

[bluewalkerlionhound]

geez bency? you running wolves down there..? maybe black and tans? when you bite the neck...do you draw blood? take care.

[kehrer10]

cull him, if one of your boys get chewed up by him and you could have stopped it you will never forgive yourself. it takes a long time for a kid to get over being bitten by a dog. if one of my dogs even raised its hackels at my son the dog will die where it is!

[kordog]

i aint saying what bency said wouldnt work cause its just crazy enough it might .something like the dog whisperer on steroids. i havent laughed this hard in weeks,and im sorry i find humor in this serious situation ! why not have your boys wrestle some crocodiles or gorrillas first . that way your ugly hound wont phase them when they go in for the takedown i think to much of my kids to risk a bite from a dog exhibiting these behavors .

[nmplott]

I agree with bency for the most part except if he is hostile towards people, then it automatically gets culled, their is to much liability with dog bites, financially, emotionally and physically if the dog is agressive towards people you will end up paying. Some dogs just do not get along with each other and that can be worked on as Bency laid out a pretty good training plan.